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THE BEAST RETURNS!
Once again, I’m switching gears. The interviewer becomes the interviewee. Part II.
Mishka was a super popular guest on the podcast about a month ago. If you listened to the interview, you know we went deep — exhaustingly deep perhaps. Despite the fact that I had never previously met Mishka face-to-face, I had a knowing sense that we would hit it off given our many points in common – writing, running, alcoholism & sobriety. There was an immediate short hand, and we just went straight to the core until we both felt like we were drowning in molten lava when the interview was over.
So when my publisher raised the issue of having someone interview me to coincide with the release of the paperback version of Finding Ultra* — hitting bookshelves and online retailers 5/21! — I knew Mishka more than fit the bill.
Osher Günsberg hit the nail on the head with Part I of this self-involved and shameless self-promotional podcast double, and Mishka picks right up with Part II right where Osher left off — repaying the favor of my unrepentant deep dive with him by hitting me hard with some tough questions as we peel back the layers and get behind the scenes on my book, my story and what drives both of us.
OK. NOW FOR THE (HOPEFULLY NOT TOO) HARD SELL…..
I feel weird asking people to buy the paperback. I’m sure the majority of you listeners out there have already read my book – you have, right? RIGHT?? But then again, who knows? Maybe you haven’t. Maybe you just stumbled upon this blog and podcast out of the blue. So here is an opportunity to learn a bit more about me, why I wrote the book and what I hoped to express.
Oh yeah, there’s also this little matter of admitting that I would like to move some units. Maybe even make the NY Times Bestseller List for Non-Fiction Paperbacks – a list I narrowly missed with the hardcover release. OK, busted. Call me shameless. Call me competitive. Or, just shoot me. I am formally apologizing right here and right now. But hey, wouldn’t you do the same if you had spent a couple years writing a book? So cut me some slack. I will say that if I do make the list — an admitted (huge?) longshot, it will be entirely due to YOU — the audience of this podcast and blog. And hey, if my book and this podcast stand for anything, it’s that we should all dream big. Making that list is definitely a big dream of mine.
Moreover, the truth is, I ain’t got no publicist out there shilling for me. Plus, Random House basically told me they don’t have the resources to market and promote the release — basically no press to get the word out. So I’m on my own. But I’m not — I’ve got all of you, who have been beyond supportive. So if you’ve enjoyed the content I’ve been freely sharing — content that takes an obscene amount of my time to create — and feel inclined to support the message I so passionately believe in, then this is the time I am REALLY ASKING FOR YOUR HELP.
Forget donating, just pull the trigger on the paperback. Already read the book? Then get it as a gift for someone — after all, Father’s Day is coming up and you gotta get dear old dad something anyway. Plus, it’s darn cheap – just $13.50 on Amazon. What the heck, right? That’s like a one cold pressed juice at Whole Foods; and will hopefully be even a bit more nourishing. Then tell a friend.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
Enough self-promotion. Enough! Everything else aside, I think you will really enjoy my conversation with Mishka – one more brother from another mother.
SHOW NOTES
- “A great book, but only if you are George W. Bush*”
: My favorite 1-star Amazon review of Finding Ultra*
- If you like very good writing and quick easy reads, check out Mishka’s array of Kindle Singles. Then thank me later.
- The Long Run*
- Shipwrecked*
- Bachelor Number One*
- Are You Lonesome Tonight?*
- Some other cool stuff from Mishka:
- Mishka on The Moth: “Shipwrecked”
- Mishka’s CNN iReport: “A Marathon for Boston”
- MishkaShubaly.com
- Mishka on Twitter: @mishkashubaly
- Mishka on Facebook
*Disclosure: Books and products denoted with an asterisk are hyperlinked to an affiliate program. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
A possible Dean Karnazes Podcast on the horizon then? An I depth article or cast about your experience with badwater would be hugely entertaining too! Deans book started me on my running and wellness journey which along the way lead me to you and finding ultra. Soaking up information and advice like a sponge. Good luck Karno and Rich ‘if that is your real name!’ Roll
The toilet flush and swirling water was epic, memorable, and funny. That’s not to say the rest of it wasn’t epic. I ordered a couple paperbacks, maybe I’ll read them while laughing and sitting on the toilet. Great job guys and thanks. scottyO-Aspen
Rich, it’s your pal from Aspen, scottyO. Good to hear you and Mishka are contemplating running a 100 miler. I will be running my first 100 on August 17th- Leadville. Lord have mercy!! So cool you are involved in the Badwater this year Rich. Can’t wait to hear a full report. Keep running hard boys. Thanks for your mojo. scottyO
Awesome episode! Thank you.
Rich: Love Mishka. It was actually through Mishka’s book that I found you. I doubt I would have purchased Finding Ultra if I had just merely come across it. In April 2012 I purchased and read Mishka’s book The Long Run. After finishing that one, Finding Ultra was a recommended read so I got a sample and you hooked me. I have been a follower of yours ever since. Even left some comments on earlier podcasts as I have been here since the beginning (catching up with a few now though). I see you are coming to in Sept for the DC Vegfest. I will be there just to hear you speak.
It is funny how life is somewhat interconnected. Not sure you or anyone else will find this interesting but… I read Mishka’s book, which lead me to your book..which lead me to the podcast..one in which you later had Mishka as a guest..who’s book The Long Run I went back and reread last week after listening to the podcast..who mentions a college acquaintance of mine in his book (David Foster Wallace). Like I said, I am probably the only one that finds that “circle” somewhat interesting.
Keep up the great work you do.
Funny thing about equipment… I saw a guy on a mountain bike, with knobbies, doing Wildflower long course. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
I didn’t know who Mishka Shubaly was. Looked him up after listening the podcast. He looks exactly how his voice sounds, thats so random! 🙂 Great episode btw!